Cellulose solvent and resulting cellulosic composition



MAX Y. SEATON, OF MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR .TO THE DOW CHEMICAL COM- PANY, OF MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

CELLU'LOSE SOLVENT .AND RESULTING CELLULOSIC COMPOSITION.

No Drawi'hg;

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, MAX Y. S'nAToN, acitizen of the United States, and a'resident of Midland, county of Midland, and State of Michigan have'invented a new and use ful Improvement in Cellulose Solvents and Resulting Cellulosic Compositions, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained, and '10 the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improved solvent is designed. more especially for use in making lacquers 5 having a cellulose ester, particularly .cellulose acetate or acetyl cellulose-as the base. I have found that propylene chlorhydrin (CH .CH.OH.CH Cl is an excellent sol vent for such cellulose acetate; also'that 2o while'this' compound is not by itself a solvent for cellulose nitrate or nitro-cellulose, its addition to a composition including cellulos'enitrate and'a solvent or solvents of the latter per se' serves to impart desirable 5 qualities to the resulting cellulose composition unattainable by other means, and rendering such composition highlysuitable for use as a lacquer. Propylene chlorhydrin boils at 127 C.,- has a specific gravity of 1.1,. and is largely miscible with water. It will be understood. that such propylene chlorhydrin need not necessarily be pure, but in fact, as commercially prepared, it will and may contain small quantities of other related derivatives of the-higher members of the olefine series of hydrocarbons.

Moreover, as previously indicated, especially where used in preparing a lacquer having cellulose nitrate as the basefI add other solvents as well as non-solvents, such as have fqund'employment in cellulosic compositions intended for use as lacquers. The invention, then, consists of the ingredients hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth but one of several diiferent combinations of ingredients that may be employed in carrying out the invention. A typical cellulose acetate lacquer formula, in which propylene chlorhydrin is the main solvent, is as follows, viz 8 parts cellulose acetate, 20 parts propylene chlorhydrin, 20 parts alcohol, and 60 parts benzol. The addition of the alcohol to such lacquer Application filed January 31, 1920. Serial No. 355,398.

,is desirable as giving a lower viscosity and more perfect solution, while thebenzol servo primarily as a diluen or mere vehicle as it would be termed 'n the case of an ordinary paint or varnislvcomposition.

A typical formula for a cellulose nitrate lacquer, containing propylene chlorhydrin as the main solvent, is as follows, viz 4 parts cellulose nitrate, 15 parts amyl acetate,

5 parts acetone, 15 parts propylene chlort5 iydrin, and partsbenzol. As already explained, the propylene chlorhydrin will not by itself dissolve cellulose nitrate, it being for this reason that the acetone and acetate, one or both, are used. As in the case of the previous formula, the addition of the alcohol serves to lower the viscosity and give amore perfect solution, while the benzol in the foregoing formula chlor-propyl acetate may be substituted for the-amyl acetate if desired acts as a diluentor vehicle. The presence with the propylene chlorhydrin of smaller or larger quantities of the chlorhydrins formed from butyleneand higher unsaturated hydrocarbons, is in no sense objectionable, since these act equally to impart desirable qualities to the lacquer, giv ing a bright clear solution which will dry to a clear, brilliant and'elastic film.

It will be understood that my improved cellulosic composition, in either of the several specific forms described above, may be used not merely as a lacquer proper, i. e. as a surface coating for other articles, but, upon drying and proper manipulation, may be formed int- "a film, or be otherwise shaped for use as an a ticle in itself.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the materials employed, provided the ingredients stated by any of the fol-- lowing claims of the equivalent of such stated ingredients be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and dis- I tate-capable of dissolving s uch nitrate and having propylene chlorhydrin' admixed diluent admixed therewith. I

5. A new composition of matter, comprising a solution of cellulose nitrate in amyl acetate having propylene chlorhydrin admixed therewith.

6. A new composition of matter, comprising a solution of cellulose nitrate in amyl acetate and acetone having chlorhydrin admixed therewith.

7. A new composition of matter, consiso ing of a solution of cellulose nitrate in amyl acetate and acetone having chlorhydrin and benzol admixed therewith.

8. A new composition of matter, consisting of the following ingredients in approximately the proportions stated, viz t parts cellulose nitrate, 15 parts of .amyl acetate, 15 parts acetone, 15 parts propylene chlorhydrin, and 55 parts benzol.

propylene with a suitable diluent. propylene 9. A solvent mixture for cellulose nitrate comprising a solvent of'such nit-rate per se and propylene chlorhydrin as an additional ingredient. 10. A solvent mixture for cellulose nitrate comprising an acetate capable of dissolving cellulose nitrate andpropylene chlorhydrin as an additional ingredient.

11. A solvent mixture for cellulose esters, comprising propylene chlorhydrin in admix ture with amyl acetate. 4

12. A solvent mixture for cellulose esters, comprising propylene c'hlorhydrin in admixture with amyl acetate and acetone.

13. A solvent mixture for cellulose esters, comprising propylene ch'lorhydrin in admixture with amyl acetate and acetone together 14. A solvent mixture 101- cellulose esters, comprising propylene chlorhydrin in admixture with amyl'acetate and acetone together with benzol.

Signed by me, this 27th day otJa'nuary,

MAX Y. senor. 

